Metso Matamata Swifts edged past a determined and defensively resolute Claudelands Rovers side in their latest Waikato/Bay of Plenty League fixture.

The match was between two of the league's lowest scoring teams to date and, pre-match, a goalfest certainly wasn't on the cards. With the way the match went, however, it should have been, with Matamata doing the feasting. Unfortunately they didn't have a healthy appetite in front of goal.

Matamata made very hard work of finishing off the visitors in a one-sided match. The Swifts created countless opportunities to score, in both halves, but had to settle for a solitary goal midway through the second half. Albetro Romero's waltz through the Claudelands defence, and cool finish, was enough for victory.

In truth, Matamata didn't help themselves, with average delivery and such wasteful finishing, from a variety of players, that the Claudelands keeper didn't have many saves to make. Swifts coach, Duncan Lowry, had no complaints about the rest of his side's performance, with the team looking much sharper all over the field than during the last two weeks.

If only some of those chances would turn into goals.

Players to stand out for Matamata were Ged Parkinson at the back, Andy Birchenough through the middle, Scott Parsonage on the left of midfield and Jason Collins up front. Andrew Taylor impressed when he came off the bench and Gary Darkes, despite not really being tested, was happy to keep his first clean sheet of the campaign.

While Claudelands weren't a factor in their attacking third of the pitch, and didn't have a serious shot all match, they worked hard, were organised at the back and strong in midfield. They proved to be a very, very difficult side to finish off.

The victory has edged Matamata into fourth position on the table and only one point behind joint leaders, Taupo (who they've already played), and Rotorua United (who they play this coming weekend).